STUMBLING TOWARD THE BUDDHA
10 ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Coming July 1, 2024
How does one embrace spirituality, when life is messy? Dawn Downey comes to a startling revelation: a difficult childhood was more than that. There was abuse. When she confronts family history, years of depression and splintered relationships finally make sense. As a seeker, she accepts her past and finds friendship, compassion, and joy.
Bonus material: New Introduction "How a Book Wrote Itself." Describes how this memoir was in the works long before I thought about being a writer. Author Notes on every essay let you in on the insights I've had since each story was written. A Conversation With the Author offers a Q and A behind the scenes look at my writing process.
10 ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Coming July 1, 2024
How does one embrace spirituality, when life is messy? Dawn Downey comes to a startling revelation: a difficult childhood was more than that. There was abuse. When she confronts family history, years of depression and splintered relationships finally make sense. As a seeker, she accepts her past and finds friendship, compassion, and joy.
Bonus material: New Introduction "How a Book Wrote Itself." Describes how this memoir was in the works long before I thought about being a writer. Author Notes on every essay let you in on the insights I've had since each story was written. A Conversation With the Author offers a Q and A behind the scenes look at my writing process.
BLINDSIDED: ESSAYS FROM THE ONLY BLACK WOMAN IN THE ROOM
2022 Book of the Year Finalist, Independent Author Network
"Searing, painful, and insightful."
—Steve Kraske, National Public Radio's Up To Date
"A superbly written and very honest account of what it feels like to be a black woman in a white community. Highly recommended! … The author is adept at pulling the reader into her world and feeling what she’s feeling. There’s a relaxed, chatty sort of feel to it which I very much enjoyed – and there’s a sprinkling of humour which adds to her story whilst never undermining the awfulness of what she faced.
—A Wishing Shelf Review
"With riveting sermons of prose, Dawn Downey captures deeply private yet broadly relatable snapshots of life as a black woman. … Spilling intimate insights through brilliant, well-drawn prose is an undertaking where most authors fail; these essays, however, are provocative, subtle, and captivating – often within the same breath."
—--Self-Publishing Review
“I cannot encourage readers enough to read Blindsided. There is much written these days about PTSD in relation to vets and abuse victims: this is about the PTSD that many black people feel daily. It’s eye-opening and chilling. … Dawn Downey ‘prompts us to consider how we find our authentic selves in the heart of our discomfort.’ By doing so, her closing message is one of hope.”
——Readers’ Favorite
"Downey's story gives readers insights that will lead to self-examination of [their own] underlying prejudices … Blindsided is more than just one woman's life experiences. It follows the steps of a dance black people face in their lives every day … highly recommended reading for anyone concerned about the evolution and processes of racism in America."
——D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Bookwatch
Bookshop Barnes and Noble Ibooks
2022 Book of the Year Finalist, Independent Author Network
"Searing, painful, and insightful."
—Steve Kraske, National Public Radio's Up To Date
"A superbly written and very honest account of what it feels like to be a black woman in a white community. Highly recommended! … The author is adept at pulling the reader into her world and feeling what she’s feeling. There’s a relaxed, chatty sort of feel to it which I very much enjoyed – and there’s a sprinkling of humour which adds to her story whilst never undermining the awfulness of what she faced.
—A Wishing Shelf Review
"With riveting sermons of prose, Dawn Downey captures deeply private yet broadly relatable snapshots of life as a black woman. … Spilling intimate insights through brilliant, well-drawn prose is an undertaking where most authors fail; these essays, however, are provocative, subtle, and captivating – often within the same breath."
—--Self-Publishing Review
“I cannot encourage readers enough to read Blindsided. There is much written these days about PTSD in relation to vets and abuse victims: this is about the PTSD that many black people feel daily. It’s eye-opening and chilling. … Dawn Downey ‘prompts us to consider how we find our authentic selves in the heart of our discomfort.’ By doing so, her closing message is one of hope.”
——Readers’ Favorite
"Downey's story gives readers insights that will lead to self-examination of [their own] underlying prejudices … Blindsided is more than just one woman's life experiences. It follows the steps of a dance black people face in their lives every day … highly recommended reading for anyone concerned about the evolution and processes of racism in America."
——D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Bookwatch
Bookshop Barnes and Noble Ibooks
LISTICLES: ESSAYS FOR BOUNCING BACK
Two dozen essays in list form. Limited edition, 100 copies. Signed and numbered. SOLD OUT
"As usual, your writing and voice reach deep down inside me."
——Kaite Stover, Director of Reader Services, Kansas City Public Library
"Reassured me that I'm not the only one who has either missed or avoided many "classics." "
——Lisa Sinicki, author and artist, LGS Communications
"A beautifully written book."
——Olivia Hill, author of Travel North Black Girl
SEARCHING FOR MY HEART: ESSAYS ABOUT LOVE
"Beautiful personal stories about the different types of love one encounters in the world. … Downey has a wonderful way of bringing the reader into a moment with expressive language that is sometimes poetic and sometimes direct, but always moving and thoughtful. The writing flows effortlessly and the book is laid out in a format which allows the reader to read straight through or in smaller sections, reflecting on each moment. There is real inspiration and wisdom to be found in these pages. … Dawn Downey is an author who needs to be discovered by everyone."
—--Self-Publishing Review
"A lovely, contemplative, and moving collection of essays. … exacting word play, beautiful turns of phrase, imagery, deep power and pull of feelings. This collection seems to levitate with grace and confidence. Truly, it's beautifully wrought."
——Marcia Meier, Weeping Willow Books
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FROM DAWN TO DAYLIGHT: ESSAYS
Walk with Dawn Downey, as she observes her world. “I missed my walk today. My feet left the house, but I lingered inside my mind, composing a grocery list. In my absence, maybe my feet admired the willow around the corner, or reassured the hound dogs that bayed a warning from behind their fence.”
Gardening, yoga, and popular culture also make appearances in these chapters. Downey's take is philosophical, often invoking meditation as the lens through which she views her experiences.
Bookshop Barnes and Noble Ibooks
Walk with Dawn Downey, as she observes her world. “I missed my walk today. My feet left the house, but I lingered inside my mind, composing a grocery list. In my absence, maybe my feet admired the willow around the corner, or reassured the hound dogs that bayed a warning from behind their fence.”
Gardening, yoga, and popular culture also make appearances in these chapters. Downey's take is philosophical, often invoking meditation as the lens through which she views her experiences.
Bookshop Barnes and Noble Ibooks
STUMBLING TOWARD THE BUDDHA:
STORIES ABOUT TRIPPING OVER MY PRINCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO TRANSFORMATION
"… an honest conversation about how a spiritual life really manifests in the day-to-day world. Through this delightful collection of linked essays, we come to understand—and recognize—how we all stumble through our lives, trying to maintain some modicum of dignity and grace. Bravo for this enchanting new voice in the pantheon of spiritual writing."
––Brenda Miller, author of The Pen and the Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World
"… I thought it would be good, but challenging. I was wrong. It wasn't good--it was great! … It read more like memoir short stories. I loved it!!!! The author's honesty was so refreshing! What a treat to get to read such a genuine book."
—Amanda, a Goodreads reader
Bookshop Barnes and Noble Ibooks
STORIES ABOUT TRIPPING OVER MY PRINCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO TRANSFORMATION
"… an honest conversation about how a spiritual life really manifests in the day-to-day world. Through this delightful collection of linked essays, we come to understand—and recognize—how we all stumble through our lives, trying to maintain some modicum of dignity and grace. Bravo for this enchanting new voice in the pantheon of spiritual writing."
––Brenda Miller, author of The Pen and the Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World
"… I thought it would be good, but challenging. I was wrong. It wasn't good--it was great! … It read more like memoir short stories. I loved it!!!! The author's honesty was so refreshing! What a treat to get to read such a genuine book."
—Amanda, a Goodreads reader
Bookshop Barnes and Noble Ibooks